Planetary transmission



Dec. 17, 1929. E, L. ENGELHARDT 1,740,010

I PLANETARY TRANSMISSION File y 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 17, 1929. E.L. ENGELHARDT 1,740,010 PLANETARY TRANSMISSION I Filed Mai 1929 2Sheets-Sheet '2 Patented Dec. 17,1929

UNITED. STATES 1 ELMER L. ENGELHARDT, F DENVER, COLORADO PLANETARYTRANSMISSION Application filed May 9, 1929. Serial No. 361,701.

This invention relates to planetary transmissions and more particularlyto an 1mprovement of that type of planetary 'trans-;

mission wherein sun and orbit gears are provided which are engaged by anannular compound gear constituting the planet gear and having internalteeth which engage the sun gear, and external teeth to engage the orbitternal diameter the same as the diameter of ear. I An important objectof the invention is to provide in a device of this characterconstruction such that the several gear elements are always maintainedin theirproper relation and, accordingly, clashing or slipping of thegear is avoided. p

A further object of the invention is to provide a transmission of thischaracter in which the maintainance ofthe gears in their properpositions is obtained in such a manner that the structure may be veryreadily and cheaply produced and readily assembled, and will be durableand efficient in service.

These and other objects I attain by the construction shown'in theaccompanyingdrawings wherein for the purpose of-illustration I haveshown a preferredembodiment of my invention and wherein Y Figure 1 is aplan View of a transmission constructed in accordance with my invention,the brake band being removed;

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View therethrough;

Figure 3 is an elevation of one of the side plates;

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Figurel;

Figure 5 is a section on line 55 of Fig- 11161.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numerals 10, '11and 12 indicate respectively they sun planet and orbit gears of atransmission of the type above referred'to. The sun gear 10, as atpresent shown, is formed upon a shaft 13, which is mounted in thebearing 14 at one end, and its opposite end has bearing in a sleeve 15,which in turn is mounted in a second bearing 16.

In accordance with my invention, I provide the gears 10, 11 and 12 attheir side faces with projecting flanges. In the case of the sun gear,these flanges could be formed by the shaft 13, but I have in the presentinstance illustratedthese flanges as produced by enlargements 17 of theshaft, which have an external diameter approximately that of the gear atthe base of the teeth. The flanges 18 of the annular planet gear have aninthe gear ll at the base of the interior teeth 19 thereof, and anexternal diameter equal to the diameter of this gear at the base of theexternal teeth 20; The flanges 21 of the orbit gear 12 have an internaldiameter equal to the diameter of this gear at the base of theteeththereof and an external diameter the same as the exterior diameter'ofthe gear. Abutting the outer faces of the flanges 17 and 18 and havingtheir peripheral edges abutting against the inner'face of the flanges 21are plates 22, the inner faces of which are formed with annular bearings23 and 24:. Bearings 23 fit and fill thespace between the flanges-17 and18-at opposite sides of the gears and thus serve to maintain gear 11 inproperly engaged position with the gears 10 and 12, and bearing 24likewise insures proper placement of the gear 11 with relation to-thegear 12 and accordingly, with relation to the gear 10. Either ofthese bearings could be eliminated while still maintaining the properplacement of the gear, but the use of both bearings eliminates liabilityto looseness which results in chattering as the bearings wear. As willbe obvious from the inspection of Figured, in gearing of this type gapsare formed between the adjacent faces of the teeth of meshing gearelements at the opposite sides ofthese gears from the point of contact.I

. These gaps are crescent-shaped in form and I provide upon the'bearings23 and 24 of one of the plates projecting crescent-shaped webs 25 and 26for extension through these openings to engage the bearings of the otherof the plates. Securing elements may be directed through thesewebs, asindicated at 27, con- I necting the plates andbearings to one another toprevent-relative rotation thereof. Here a further advantage of the useof the two bearings appears, as it will be obvious that the plates Willbe secured to one another at points diametrically opposed and lying atopposite sides of their center, and accordingly, the integrity of theconnection is assured. One end of one flange 21 of the gear 12 and theplate 22 associated therewith, are aloutted by a flange 28 formed uponthe sleeve 15, and through this flange securing elements 29 are extendedinto the flange 21 to provide aconnectian so that gear 12 and sleeve 15Will rotate as a unit.

A housing element is provided, comprising a disc 30 mounted upon theshaft 18 and abutting the other of the plates '22, this housing elementhaving a peripheral flange 31 slidably fitting against the outer face ofthe gear 12 and formed upon its 'outer'taee as a br'ake drum 32. Abrake33 may be assoeiated with this flange to cheek rotation thereof.The disc at the corresponding side is secured to disc 30 {and may, ifdesired, be formed as a portion thereof. It will obvious that When thebrake" 33 lS flldPll'QCl and rotation of disc 80 checked, the bearingstructure including plates 22 and bearings 23 and 24, will beheldagainst rotation so thatif shaft- 13- is; driven, a reducedspeed ofrotat-ion'of'sleeve 15 will result, While it sleeve 15*is driven, anincreased speed ofoperation of shaft 13' will result.

'Whenthe brake is released, however, the bearings and gears willr'ot-ateas a unit, and

they Will rot-ate as a unit unless the friction applied by the brake 33is suflicientto hold the parts 30 and 81, With attached bearings23 and 21, against rotation when a planetary action Will result. I

Attention is'directed to the factth'at the mounting of the bearings uponthe plates '22 produces grooves upon the inner faces of these plates forthe reception of the-flanges of the respective gears, and thataccordingly the structure might bev readily produced by simply groovingthe innerfaees of the plates.

An arrangement of this character provides a sealed casing enclosing thegearing so that lubricant may be introduced to' the casing. Thelubricant is forced into the casing by means of a pump or the like, not'showmwvhich is arrangedin communication With an opening 34, which inturn communicates with" a passage35 formed in the shaft '13 and disicharging-with the casing.

Since the construction herein illustr'atediis capable of veryconsiderable range-of change and modification without'in any mannerdeparting tromthe spirit'of the invention, I accordingly do not limitm'ysel-fto such specific structure except as hereinafter claimed,

' I cla1m:

1. In a planetarytransmission and in combination With concentric sun andorbit gears and an eccentrically disposed annular c'om pound planet gearsurrounding the sun gear and meshing With each of the sun and orbitgears, a pair of plates concentrically mounted with respect to the sungear and a bearing on each of said plates and having engagement Withsaid planet gear in a manner preventing displacement of the axis thereofWith relation to :the axis ef the sun gear, and means preventingrelative rotation of the plates, theand an eccentrically disposedannular compound planet gear surrounding the sun gear andmesli'ingwvitheach' oi the sun and orbit gears, a pair orplatesconcentr'i-cally mounted with r-espectto the sunlgea-r and anannular V grooved bearing-on each oft-said plates and having engagementwith said planet gear in" a manner preventing displacement ofthe axisthereof with relation to the axis ofthe'sun gear, and a. connectionbetween s'aidplates extending through the gearing Within the confinesof'the space defined by the orbit gear, the peripheral edges ot'saidplates abutting the'inner faces oi projecting flan'ges at the sides ofthe. orbit gear, 1

3. In 'a' planetary transmission and in: comblnation With concentric sunand orbitmounted With 'respect'to the sun gear and a bearing on eachof-said plates and having engagement With said'planet gear-1n a mannerpreventing displacement of the axis thereof with relation tofthe axis ofthe sungear, means preventing relative rotation of the plates, one ofsa-id plates having a peripheral flange slidably abutting the outertaceof the orbit gear, and a brake band'associated With said flange.

4. In a planetary transmission and incom- .7110

bination With concentric'sun and orbit gears and an eccentricallydisposed annular compound planet gear surrounding the sun gear andmeshing W1th each of the sun and; orblt gears, a pair of platescombining With-the sun and orbit gears to produce a closed housingWithin Winch the planet' gear is disposed,

bearings upon said plates maintaining the planet gear in fixed relationto the sun; and orbit gears While permitting relative rotation of suchgears, and meansholding said plates against relative rotation. I

5. In a planetarytransmission and incombination with concentric sun andorbit gears and an eccentrically disposed annular-com pound planet gearsurrounding the sun gear andmeshing With each of the sun and orbitgears, a pair of plates combining with the sun and orbit gears toproduce a closed housing Within which the planet gear'is disposed,

annular grooved bearings in said plates maintaining the planet gear infixed relation to V the sun and orbit gears while permitting relativerotation of such gears, means holding said plates against relativerotation, and brake means operable on said housing for holding theplates against rotation about the axis of the sun gear.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature. I

ELMER L. ENGELHARDT.

